Arkhangelsk Region set to build deep-water seaport

Acting Arkhangelsk Region Governor Igor Orlov and representatives of Chinese company Poly Technology have met to discuss prospects for building a deep-water seaport, the press service of the Arkhangelsk Region government reports.

"We are on the threshold of implementing this ambitious project. I hope that our Chinese partners will appreciate the level and volume of upcoming work, with due account for the deep-sea port's logistics and transportation potential," Mr Orlov said.

The project provides for the creation of a new port facility located 55 kilometers north of Arkhangelsk that would handle up to 45 million metric tons of freight annually. The deep-water area will accommodate vessels displacing up to 100,000 metric tons deadweight. The implementation of this project will make it possible to considerably shorten delivery routes.

Mr Orlov stressed that construction of a deep-water merchant-marine seaport near Arkhangelsk served the interests of both countries. For his part, Sung Lin, head of the Chinese delegation and deputy general director of Poly Technology, noted that the project had good prospects, and that the company was therefore interested in participating in it.

"Our company has financial potential and experience in building port infrastructure in other countries," he stressed.

Deputy Arkhangelsk Region Governor for Infrastructure Development Alexei Alsufyev said the region's government would provide its partners with the project's financial and economic model within the next few months.